Submariner Gold
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2018
- Messages
- 198
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- Location
- Berkshire United Kingdom
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Dash Cam
- Vicovation MF3
Just came across this product ... originally designed so two PCs can share a USB device. Think of the PCs as. Power sources.
UGREEN USB Switch, 2 Port Scanner Printer Share Switcher Selector Box Hub with 2 pcs of USB 2.0 A to A cables for Scanner,Printer Mouse,Keyboard etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B01CU4QCRS
I have ordered one of these to provide a 2 port USB outlet wired to my Acc. ign. + cigar lighter fuse, via a piggy back fuse holder.
CHGeek Dual USB 4.2A Charger Socket 12V/24V Waterproof Power Outlet for Car Boat Marine Motorcycle (4.2A-Blue) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B075YP9TD1
And my new 20,000 mA power bank with two 5V 3.1A outlets arrived today.
Tqka 20000mAh Portable Charger, 3.1A Dual USB Output Smart Charge External Battery, Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with LED Digital Display for iPhone, iPad, Samsung and More - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B073QQPKVY
Could I connect one of the 2.1A outlets from the Dual USB charger, to the PC 1 input on the USB switch. And connect the other outlet from the USB charger to the charging input on the Tqka power-bank.
Then connect one of the Tqka Powerbanks 3.1A outlets to the ‘PC 2’ input on the USB switch.
Also connect the output of the USB switch to the Dashcam ( that needs 5V 1A).
The result is the USB Switch has one Acc. Ign. Switched 5V 2.1A going to PC1. And a Battery powerbrick 3.1A source going to PC2.
And the second USB output from the USB charger supplies power @ 2.1A to the Tqka power-bank’s charging input (max rating 2A)..
[Note I dont think the Tqka supports “pass through charging”.]
Proposed Working Practice:-
Normally I will leave the USB switch on position PC1 i.e. when driving the power to the Dashcam is supplied by the ign. Engine circuit.
And at that time it also charges the Powerbrick ( note as the switch is in PC1 position ) no power is drawn from the powerbank as it is being recharged.
(Note when the Tqka is fully charged at 100%, it stops taking any more power ... well it does on the wall charger).
Occasionally when I want to have Parking-mode on. I.e. engine is off. All I have to do is press one button on the USB switch to select PC2
Then power is sourced from the battery.
Note as the engine is off, the Tqka battery stops being charged. So no need for pass through.
One risk is I come back to the car, when its in PC2 position i.e. draining my powerbank, and forget to switch back to PC1 !!
Then I might have an issue, as the powerbrick would be charging and delivering power!
But it avoids pulling out Fragile USB connectors.
The second risk is ... how good is this switch, i.e does it instanly disengage properly before contacting the other source. One would hope so. But I will test that off the car first.
Q. If there was a very short time lag, could this wreck the car i.e. momentarily positve from the powerbank battery could contact the power coming from tne ign. Circuit albeit via a converter from 12V to 5V , I assume that wouldnt happen. I.e. could it reverse convert?? Or whatever hopefully those diodes are one way.
The third risk, which I need advice on is this USB switch says its for USB 2.0. But as its switching to things like printer that have their own power, does it switch power as well as data?
And then there is the big walnut. USB 2.0 is only rated at 0.5As, even USB 3.0 is only rated at 0.9A, admittedly thats what it can provide;
Q. but can this USB switch safely pass 2.1A or 3.1A (namely the power supplied by my USB charger socket and powerbank respectively) ?
Or would it only have to take 1A through it, i.e. for the Vico MF3 or 1.5A if I upgraded to the new NB 612GW?
If only they made a USB 3.0 varient that supported high speed charging.
I guess I could ask them
Q. If the USB switch wouldn't take over 0.5A, would this USB switch, limit the power throughput to USB 2 levels? ( maybe even stopping the dashcam working) or would it melt?
Obviously if this all panned out it looks like a fairly sweet solution to using powerbanks and ad hoc parking mode, at the press of the button.
Any flaws in my logic please let me know.
I guess I could downgrade it , and forget in- car charging of the power bank. And just connect the second USB socket on the USB charger to a rear dashcam.
However if this USB switch could handle the power, or they made a USB 3.1 version that could handle 1.5A and 3A this could be an OK solution.
UGREEN USB Switch, 2 Port Scanner Printer Share Switcher Selector Box Hub with 2 pcs of USB 2.0 A to A cables for Scanner,Printer Mouse,Keyboard etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B01CU4QCRS
I have ordered one of these to provide a 2 port USB outlet wired to my Acc. ign. + cigar lighter fuse, via a piggy back fuse holder.
CHGeek Dual USB 4.2A Charger Socket 12V/24V Waterproof Power Outlet for Car Boat Marine Motorcycle (4.2A-Blue) https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B075YP9TD1
And my new 20,000 mA power bank with two 5V 3.1A outlets arrived today.
Tqka 20000mAh Portable Charger, 3.1A Dual USB Output Smart Charge External Battery, Ultra High Capacity Power Bank with LED Digital Display for iPhone, iPad, Samsung and More - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/B073QQPKVY
Could I connect one of the 2.1A outlets from the Dual USB charger, to the PC 1 input on the USB switch. And connect the other outlet from the USB charger to the charging input on the Tqka power-bank.
Then connect one of the Tqka Powerbanks 3.1A outlets to the ‘PC 2’ input on the USB switch.
Also connect the output of the USB switch to the Dashcam ( that needs 5V 1A).
The result is the USB Switch has one Acc. Ign. Switched 5V 2.1A going to PC1. And a Battery powerbrick 3.1A source going to PC2.
And the second USB output from the USB charger supplies power @ 2.1A to the Tqka power-bank’s charging input (max rating 2A)..
[Note I dont think the Tqka supports “pass through charging”.]
Proposed Working Practice:-
Normally I will leave the USB switch on position PC1 i.e. when driving the power to the Dashcam is supplied by the ign. Engine circuit.
And at that time it also charges the Powerbrick ( note as the switch is in PC1 position ) no power is drawn from the powerbank as it is being recharged.
(Note when the Tqka is fully charged at 100%, it stops taking any more power ... well it does on the wall charger).
Occasionally when I want to have Parking-mode on. I.e. engine is off. All I have to do is press one button on the USB switch to select PC2
Then power is sourced from the battery.
Note as the engine is off, the Tqka battery stops being charged. So no need for pass through.
One risk is I come back to the car, when its in PC2 position i.e. draining my powerbank, and forget to switch back to PC1 !!
Then I might have an issue, as the powerbrick would be charging and delivering power!
But it avoids pulling out Fragile USB connectors.
The second risk is ... how good is this switch, i.e does it instanly disengage properly before contacting the other source. One would hope so. But I will test that off the car first.
Q. If there was a very short time lag, could this wreck the car i.e. momentarily positve from the powerbank battery could contact the power coming from tne ign. Circuit albeit via a converter from 12V to 5V , I assume that wouldnt happen. I.e. could it reverse convert?? Or whatever hopefully those diodes are one way.
The third risk, which I need advice on is this USB switch says its for USB 2.0. But as its switching to things like printer that have their own power, does it switch power as well as data?
And then there is the big walnut. USB 2.0 is only rated at 0.5As, even USB 3.0 is only rated at 0.9A, admittedly thats what it can provide;
Q. but can this USB switch safely pass 2.1A or 3.1A (namely the power supplied by my USB charger socket and powerbank respectively) ?
Or would it only have to take 1A through it, i.e. for the Vico MF3 or 1.5A if I upgraded to the new NB 612GW?
If only they made a USB 3.0 varient that supported high speed charging.
I guess I could ask them
Q. If the USB switch wouldn't take over 0.5A, would this USB switch, limit the power throughput to USB 2 levels? ( maybe even stopping the dashcam working) or would it melt?
Obviously if this all panned out it looks like a fairly sweet solution to using powerbanks and ad hoc parking mode, at the press of the button.
Any flaws in my logic please let me know.
I guess I could downgrade it , and forget in- car charging of the power bank. And just connect the second USB socket on the USB charger to a rear dashcam.
However if this USB switch could handle the power, or they made a USB 3.1 version that could handle 1.5A and 3A this could be an OK solution.
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